Pages

April 13, 2011

Sir Thomas Lawrence's "Self-Portrait"

On this Day in the History of Art: Thomas Lawrence born (1769), Louise-Ernest Barrias born (1841), Handel’s Messiah premieres (1742), The Metropolitan Museum of Art founded (1870), Van Cliburn (American) wins Tchaikovsky competition in Moscow (1958), William Orchardson died (1910)Nationality: EnglishBorn/Died: 1769-1830

Thomas Lawrence was largely self-taught and this portrait depicts him at around eighteen or nineteen. Despite his youth, he portrays himself as a dignified, intense, beautiful, intelligent being with his hair slightly blowing in the wind.